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Kings Mountain National Military Park Geologic Resources Inventory Report

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National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Natural Resource Program Center Kings Mountain National Military Park Geologic Resources Inventory Report Natural Resource Report NPS/NRPC/GRD/NRR—2009/129 THIS PAGE: The Centennial Monument erected in 1880 was the result of a massive effort by descendents and state governments to recognize those who fought at the Battle of Kings Mountain. ON THE COVER: The monadnock known as Kings Mountain was the scene of the 1780 Battle of Kings Mountain. The rocky slopes helped provide cover for the patriot forces as they enciencircledrcled the loyalist forces under Major Patrick Ferguson. NPS Photos courtesy Chris Revels (Kings Moun- tain NMP) Kings Mountain National Military Park Geologic Resources Inventory Report Natural Resource Report NPS/NRPC/GRD/NRR—2009/129 Geologic Resources Division Natural Resource Program Center P.O. Box 25287 Denver, Colorado 80225 September 2009 U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service Natural Resource Program Center Denver, Colorado The Natural Resource Publication series addresses natural resource topics that are of interest and applicability to a broad readership in the National Park Service and to others in the management of natural resources, including the scientific community, the public, and the NPS conservation and environmental constituencies. Manuscripts are peer-reviewed to ensure that the information is scientifically credible, technically accurate, appropriately written for the intended audience, and is designed and published in a professional manner. Natural Resource Reports are the designated medium for disseminating high priority, current natural resource management information with managerial application. The series targets a general, diverse audience, and may contain NPS policy considerations or address sensitive issues of management applicability. Examples of the diverse array of reports published in this series include vital signs monitoring plans; "how to" resource management papers; proceedings of resource management workshops or conferences; annual reports of resource programs or divisions of the Natural Resource Program Center; resource action plans; fact sheets; and regularly-published newsletters. Views, statements, findings, conclusions, recommendations and data in this report are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect views and policies of the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use by the National Park Service. Printed copies of reports in these series may be produced in a limited quantity and they are only available as long as the supply lasts. This report is also available online from the Geologic Resources Inventory website (http://www.nature.nps.gov/geology/inventory/gre_publications) and the Natural Resource Publication Management website (http://www.nature.nps.gov/publications/NRPM/index.cfm) or by sending a request to the address on the back cover. Please cite this publication as: Thornberry-Ehrlich, T. 2009. Kings Mountain National Military Park Geologic Resources Inventory Report. Natural Resource Report NPS/NRPC/GRD/NRR—2009/129. National Park Service, Denver, Colorado. NPS 335/100137, September 2009 ii Contents Figures .......................................................................................................................... iv Executive Summary ...................................................................................................... v Introduction ................................................................................................................... 1 Purpose of the Geologic Resources Inventory ........................................................................................................... 1 History of Kings Mountain National Military Park ........................................................................................................ 1 Geologic Setting ......................................................................................................................................................... 1 Geologic Issues ............................................................................................................. 5 Mineral Deposits and Mining History .......................................................................................................................... 5 Water Issues............................................................................................................................................................... 6 Erosion and Slope Processes..................................................................................................................................... 7 Geologic Features and Processes ............................................................................... 9 Geology and the Battle at Kings Mountain ................................................................................................................. 9 Regional Structures .................................................................................................................................................... 9 Metamorphism of the Kings Mountain Sequence ..................................................................................................... 10 Map Unit Properties .................................................................................................... 15 Geologic Units within Kings Mountain National Military Park .................................................................................... 16 Geologic History.......................................................................................................... 21 Glossary ....................................................................................................................... 25 References ................................................................................................................... 29 Appendix A: Geologic Map Graphic .......................................................................... 33 Appendix B: Scoping Summary ................................................................................. 35 Attachment 1: Geologic Resources Inventory Products CD Geologic Resources Inventory Report iii Figures Figure 1. Map of Kings Mountain National Military Park ................................................................................................ vi Figure 2. Geologic map of Kings Mountain National Military Park and immediate vicinity ............................................. 3 Figure 3. A Civilian Conservation Corps flagstone quarry operating on Kings Mountain ............................................... 4 Figure 4. Historic image of Henry Howser House. ......................................................................................................... 8 Figure 5. Hillslope below the U.S. Monument at Kings Mountain National Military Park .............................................. 12 Figure 6. Forested slopes at Kings Mountain National Military Park ............................................................................ 13 Figure 7. Tectonic map of Kings Mountain National Military Park area ........................................................................ 14 Figure 8. Generalized block diagram of the southeastern Applachian crustal structure ............................................... 23 Figure 9. Geologic time scale. ...................................................................................................................................... 24 iv NPS Geologic Resources Division Executive Summary This report accompanies the digital geologic map for Kings Mountain National Military Park in South Carolina, which the Geologic Resources Division produced in collaboration with its partners. It contains information relevant to resource management and scientific research. This document incorporates preexisting geologic information and does not include new data or additional fieldwork. The battle on the slopes at Kings Mountain was an through thick layers of regolith. Rapid development of inspirational victory for American patriots during the the surrounding areas threatens water resources with Revolutionary War. It was a turning point in the contamination and overuse. An ongoing drought in southern campaign. Here, the geology influenced the the upstate area of South Carolina is increasing the outcome, favoring the men who knew the terrain and demand for clean water, which could lower the water used it to their advantage. The experience of the park table beyond the extent of regional wells. begins with its geology, with the processes that · Erosion and slope processes. Topographic relief established the groundwork from which today’s within the park and surrounding areas is high in some environments, history, and scenery arise. The park and places, and landslides, slope creep, and debris flows its neighboring state parks (Kings Mountain State Park, are common. Heavy rainfall can quickly saturate South Carolina, and Crowders Mountain State Park, slopes and generate rapidly moving debris flows that North Carolina) protect a large section of the Carolina may destroy parts of roads, trails, and historic features, Piedmont—an area known for complex geology. impacting visitor experience and access. In relatively erosion-resistant units underlying ridges, rockfall Knowledge of the geologic resources is
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